San Diego State closed the nonconference portion of its schedule in much the same way it played the rest of it.

The No. 19 Aztecs immediately got in the left lane of the freeway, gunned the engine and zoomed past Cal State Bakersfield. Then eased the seat back, turned up the stereo, gazed out the window and took their foot off the pedal.

The team that isn’t able – or is it willing? – to blow out an inferior opponent didn’t again Wednesday night at Viejas Arena, leading by 17 at the half, by 24 midway through the second half … and winning 72-57.

It was the 31st straight win against a California school. It was also the fourth time this season the Aztecs (12-2) have taken a big lead and been outscored in the second half.

“If we had quit at the 9:02 mark (in the second half), when we were 24 ahead,” Fisher said, “I would feel terrific. But we have to play 40 minutes and we played 31 minutes. We put six bullet points up (in the locker room) and I said: ‘Look at the bullet points: focus, concentrate, play smart.’ We did none of the above the last 10 minutes of the game, and that’s unacceptable.

“I was not happy with the final 10 minutes.”

A red flag? Or just a quirky characteristic that only shows up against schools in their third season as full NCAA Division I member?

“I don’t think it’s anything for anyone to worry about,” said Jamaal Franklin, who had 18 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 27 minutes. “We’re a good team. Coach tried to switch things up with the mismatches, tried to put different combinations in. Sometimes those combinations don’t go well with the flow.”

Fisher’s take: “I’m not going to obsess over it. But I’m not going to just dismiss it, and say it’s OK because. I’m going to say, if you’re good enough to be here on scholarship, you’re good enough to go out there and play like I’ve seen you play.”

Fisher’s point of emphasis all week in practice was limiting turnovers. His team was averaging 13, about three too many in his estimation with a rocky Mountain West season beginning Jan. 9 at Fresno State.

And the Aztecs responded, with just three in the first half.

Then had 10 in the second half.

Franklin finished with five and declared his game “awful” accordingly. “For me,” he said, “being a leader on this team, having five turnovers isn’t good.”

Still, the Aztecs managed to win by 15 despite taking 19 fewer shots and having point guard Xavier Thames sit out the final 18 minutes with a lower back strain. They compensated with a 40-31 rebounding and 41 free throws, making 27 to the Roadrunners’ six.

Perhaps the night’s most interesting development was not on the court, but 11 rows up opposite the Aztecs bench. That’s where UCLA transfer Tyler Lamb and his parents were sitting.